Jaeger O’Meara v Jarryd Lyons
Much has been spoken about Jarryd Lyons this week in response to the purple patch he finds himself in over the past fortnight.
The midfielder, who is in his ninth season of AFL, seems to have found his groove at the aptly named Lions after outstanding recent performances against Port Adelaide and North Melbourne.
In the past two games he has averaged 33 disposals, 20 contested possessions and 11 clearances.
But take away the past two rounds and O’Meara leads Lyons on the stats sheet.
O’Meara averages more disposals, centre clearances, contested and uncontested possessions than Lion Lyons.
Will Lyons make it a hattrick of exceptional performances? Or will the more reliable O’Meara dominate the centre?
Jack Gunston v Darcy Gardiner
When the Hawks met Brisbane in Round 11 Darcy Gardiner clearly won the battle between these two.
Gardiner kept Gunston scoreless, whilst he himself had 21 disposals, seven marks and seven rebound 50s.
However, in this game Gardiner was one part of a powerful Lions defensive duo.
Brisbane’s Harris Andrews dominated the game earning best on ground honours.
Andrews has been ruled out of this weekend’s match due to suspension.
Will Gardiner be left vulnerable without his defensive partner? Will a determined Gunston get revenge for their last meeting?
Ben Stratton v Charlie Cameron
Charlie Cameron is becoming one of the best small forwards in the game and is riding on the wave of Brisbane’s success.
In 2018 Cameron kicked 17 goals for the season. This year he’s already kicked 35.
He averages two goals a game and that’s exactly what he kicked last time we met the Lions in Round 11.
Stratton is likely to line up on Cameron.
The Hawks captain has eight centimetres and 14 kilograms on Cameron.
You feel Stratton will have Cameron covered if it comes to a one-on-one wrestling contest, however if it’s a foot race you’d think Cameron would have the ascendency.
